#23 Aggies Fall 8-1 in Series Opener

Friday, April 10

College Station

6:30 PM

Texas A&M

31-11, 7-6

Auburn

39-5, 11-2

Auburn

Texas A&M

Apr 11, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 23 Texas A&M softball team (31-11, 7-6 SEC) fell behind early against Auburn (39-5, 11-2) Friday night and dropped the first game of the weekend 8-1.

Senior Rachel Fox got the start in the circle, allowing seven runs on eight hits in three innings of work. Freshman Kayla Ober got her first taste of relief work since the Alabama series, holding the Tigers to one run and three hits, with two strikeouts in four innings.

The Tiger offense got hot early, scoring five runs on four hits in the top of the first.

Texas A&M scored their only run of the night in the bottom of the first. Freshman Tori Vidales took her base after being hit by a pitch but was caught out at second after a fielder's choice from junior Cali Lanphear. With Lanphear sitting on first and two gone, freshman Ashley Walters crushed a double to the left field wall, giving Lanphear time to speed home.

Trailing 5-1, neither time put anything on the board in the second. Auburn added two more in the third, stretching the lead to six on an RBI single and a runner scored during the Aggies' first double play in April.

Auburn added the final run in the top of the fifth and the Aggies would go on to lost 8-1.

The A&M ball club put itself in the position to score more than once but left seven batters stranded. Sophomore April Ryan found her way to third base in the home portion of the fifth inning, with sophomore Celena Massey on first, but both were left where they stood. A double and a fly ball put freshman Kristen Cuyos in scoring position at third in the sixth but the Aggies couldn't get her home.

Coach Evans Post Game Sound
“It was a tough start and I was disappointed for Rachel [Fox] and our team. We were excited to play Auburn, we know they're a good team and can hit the ball but we believe we're a good team too. I thought we did a nice job to come back and score one early to keep it close. Kayla [Ober] gave up no earned runs but offensively we have to do a better job and string some hits together. I thought Kristen Cuyos played tremendous defense tonight and it was nice to see us turn a double play.”

Let's Hear a Hullabaloo
…for not backing down. Freshman Kayla Ober came on in relief in the fourth inning and shut down the Auburn attack, allowing a single unearned run and only three hits. Gig 'em, Kayla!

Coach Evans on Ober:
“I thought she was terrific. She's effective because she keeps the ball down and she's not afraid to throw strikes to hitters. I'm pleased with what I saw, it was exactly what I anticipated. I thought she'd be effective against Auburn and she went out and did a good job. We always talk about being ready for your opportunities and after what she did tonight … we know we can put her out there. She wasn't intimidated at all by them and she made good plays defensively.”

Up Next

The Aggies will face Auburn in the second game of the series at 1:02 p.m. on Saturday on ESPNU. Follow along with live stats at 12thMan.com and @AggieSoftball on Twitter for all the hits, pitches and everything in between during the 2015 softball season.